Uber safety mandate goes into effect
Effective October 1, 2019, new Uber drivers will be required to drive vehicles that have received a full five stars in ANCAP tests.
The five-star requirements of Australia's Uber New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) are effective today, and all new drivers require a car with the highest crash test rating, while existing drivers will have two years to upgrade to the new standard. .
For vehicles that have not yet been tested by ANCAP, Uber has published a list of exceptions for approximately 45 models, mostly luxury and premium vehicles, including the Lamborghini Urus, BMW X5, Lexus RX, Mercedes-Benz GLE and Porsche Panamera.
Uber said in a statement that the decision to introduce five-star cars is because they "advocate for safety."
"ANCAP has long set the Australian standard for vehicle safety and we are proud to help them continue to send a powerful message about the importance of vehicle safety technology across Australia," the post reads.
Uber's maximum vehicle age will continue to apply, meaning 10 years or less for UberX, Uber XL and Assist operators, and less than six years for Uber Premium, while the vehicle's service schedule (dictated by manufacturer) still needs to be supported.
Meanwhile, ANCAP boss James Goodwin praised Uber for making driver and passenger safety a priority.
“This is a serious and responsible political decision aimed at improving the safety of all who use our roads,” he said. “Ridesharing is a modern convenience. For some it's their primary means of transportation, but for others it's their workplace, so it's important to keep everyone safe.
“Five star safety is now the expected standard among car buyers and we should expect the same high standard whenever we use a car as a mobility service.
“This should become a benchmark for other companies in the ridesharing, carsharing and taxi industry.”
Competing rideshare companies such as DiDi and Ola do not require a full five-star ANCAP car, but specify their own eligibility criteria.
ANCAP crash tests include assessment of passive safety such as crumple zones and occupant protection, as well as active safety including autonomous emergency braking (AEB).
ANCAP also requires vehicles to be equipped with AEB to achieve a full five-star rating, while other active safety technologies such as lane keeping assist and traffic sign recognition will be scrutinized in future exams.
The assessment also takes into account the vehicle's equipment level, including features such as a rearview camera, ISOFIX child seat anchorage points and pedestrian protection in a collision.
The ANCAP website currently lists 210 modern five-star crash test vehicles, some of the most affordable being the Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Yaris, Suzuki Swift, Kia Rio, Mazda2 and Honda Jazz.
While new vehicles are increasingly being fitted with active safety systems, more equipment often comes with higher prices, as seen in the new Mazda3, Toyota Corolla and new-generation Ford Focus compact cars.
Niche cars like the Ford Mustang, Suzuki Jimny and Jeep Wrangler, which received three, three and one stars respectively, also struggle to meet ANCAP's rigorous safety standards.
